Exploring visual journalism

Rebuilding a legend, one car at a time

Bob Wingard, a self-admitted adrenaline junkie, had trouble finding a sports car that fit his six-foot, nine-inch frame. So the Goddard Systems Engineer, who designs satellites, decided to build his own.

Not just any car would do. Wingard bought all the remaining stock parts from the legendary car builder Carroll Shelby’s defunct “Series 1” project and started a new company called FII Roadsters and Motor Sports.

Bob Wingard sits in the cockpit of his creation; the 427 Roadster. Wingard purchased 77 frames from the abandoned Carroll Shelby Series I project and created his 427 Roadster, styled after the original Shelby Cobra; a legendary car that held several road records. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

A nod to the legendary car builder, Carroll Shelby, is displayed in decal form on the windshield of FII’s 427 Roadster. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

A 427 CID engine is shown shoehorned into the aluminum frame of the 427 Roadster. The car was assembled in Crofton, but cannot be sold with an engine due to Md. laws. However, Wingard can offer advice on where to purchase one of three 427 CI displacement engines. This particular engine can propel the car to over 200 miles per hour. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

Bob Wingard takes a completed 427 Roadster for a spin in Crofton. Wingard, a NASA contractor responsible for unmanned, deep-space missions, built the car after having trouble finding a sports car that he could fit in. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

Steve Pranger works on the suspension of a rare Stage 1 car headed for display. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

The carbon fiber shift lever, guages and the leather wrapped Momo steering wheel are shown in the interior of the 427 Roadster. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

Taped reminder notes are stuck all over the car as it is assembled, so nothing gets overlooked. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

Shown are the three basic stages of the 427 Roadster, then the completed car. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

A body and partially assembled frame sits in the warehouse/assembly building at FII Roadsters. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

Pictured is a completed 427 Roadster from FII Roadsters at their plant in Crofton, Md. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

Fiberglass shells of the 427 Roadster body are hung from the ceiling at the assembly plant in Crofton. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

A view down the driver’s side body panel, with the wire vent, molded into the fiberglass body. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

Randy Hubbert (left) and Steve Pranger work on a rare Series 1 car, with parts purchased from Shelby American, Inc. and assembled at FII Roadsters. Their primary creation is the 427 Roadster. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)

In a cramped warehouse in Crofton are the parts to make Wingard’s dream; an updated 21st century “Cobra” with an old style 427 CI engine, which he can now fit in and others can purchase to share in his dream. The car is the “427 Roadster” and is a streetcar built on a Formula One platform.

In March 2011, he began marketing the 427, selling the first car in June 2011 without a motor (due to EPA rules) for $105,000 each. Clients now include a pro ball player, several businessmen and, of course, Shelby fans.

This car will knock your socks off with its acceleration, top speed, braking and handling ability. How many speeding tickets you accrue is up to you, as the top end speed is over 200 miles per hour.

Wingard doesn’t view his success as luck, but more as fun. His company will do whatever the customer wants; even match the threads of the seat to the car color. Wingard says his job at Goddard is to take a problem and fix it, so he just applies the same principles to these cars.

The Darkroom offers Facebook and WordPress commenting in the hopes of fostering constructive conversation among our users. Please abide by our
Terms of Service when commenting on the site.

Categories

ABOUT THE DARKROOM

The Darkroom, the photography and video blog of The Baltimore Sun, shines a light on visually captivating stories of our past and present. It showcases the exciting work of our staff, offers tips in the craft, and highlights the emerging community of independent media makers. We want your feedback – please contact us with suggestions and ideas.

Recent Comments

neha verma: Hello Jerry what a nice blog that gives information about Ta…